Sophie Lancaster’s mum speaks out over killer’s early release saying ‘justice has failed’

The mum of Sophie Lancaster has spoken of her disappointment as her daughter’s murderer Ryan Herbert is set to be freed from prison.

Herbert was sixteen-years-old when he was jailed for life in 2008 for murdering Sophie, twenty, in a park in Bacup, Lancashire.

Sophie and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, were attacked by Herbert and five other teenage boys on August 11th, 2007. Sophie bore the brunt of the attack as she attempted to protect Robert from the assault, which was believed to have been provoked over their goth appearances.

The couple were so badly beaten that when paramedics arrived, they could not tell if they were male or female.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Sophie was placed on a life-support machine, but tragically died from her injuries in hospital almost two weeks later on August 24th.

Herbert admitted both murder and assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and was given a minimum term of sixteen years and three months, though this was later reduced to fifteen and a half years.

And yesterday, it was announced that Herbert will be released from prison, with High Court judge Mr Justice William Davis concluding that he had made ‘exceptional progress’ behind bars.

Sophie’s mum Sylvia Lancaster, who set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in memory of her daughter and to promote tolerance and acceptance for alternative people, has since reacted to the news, saying she is ‘disappointed’ with the Parole Board’s decision and saying the Justice System has ‘failed her daughter’.

ITV

Speaking to ITV News, she said: “They haven’t done justice for our Sophie. All you want at the end of the day is justice.

“You don’t want anything out of the ordinary, you just want justice.”

Reacting to the Parole Board’s conclusion that Herbert has made ‘significant changes to his life which reflected his remorse, his insight and increased maturity’, Sylvia said: “I hope he has. I hope he has for his sake and for society’s sake.

“We don’t want men walking round with vicious and ridiculous ideas about how he should behave.

Lancashire Police

“I do understand that people can change – and do change – but I think that we’ll sit back and see what happens.”

A document setting out the decision read: “After considering the circumstances of his offending and examining the evidence for the progress made while in custody, the panel was satisfied that Mr. Herbert was suitable for release.”

The document added that Herbert had ‘improved his education with studies to degree level’ and had ‘fully engaged with resettlement activities’ including spending time on temporary release from jail. He also had a job and there was ‘positive feedback about his work’.

Herbert, who became eligible for release in February, will be subject to restrictions on his movements, where he lives and who he contacts.